- Conference
- 2024 National Delegate Conference
- Date
- 22 February 2024
- Decision
- Carried
Despite UNISON’s continued efforts to tackle racism in public service workplaces, continued reports from the Police, Probation, NHS, and others demonstrate that significant changes are still required before equality for Black workers will ever materialise.
Conference condemns the slow pace of change in too many workplaces and the exclusion of Black workers from discussions about what reforms are necessary.
Although an immediate change to reflect what is required to deal with institutional racism will not happen overnight, a concerted effort can be made to not only consult us on proposals but also to involve us in the decision-making process. This means being an effective part of the process to generate the required change that continues to inhibit the progress of Black people.
Conference applauds initiatives such as UNISON Eastern’s Anti Racism Charter which requires employers to commit to ensuring Black workers are central to all negotiations on how to deliver anti-racist workplaces and monitor and evaluate progress. In the Year of Black Workers UNISON adopted and encouraged take-up of this initiative across the union as a UNISON priority activity.
UNISON has made tremendous strides forward in holding employers to account for racism in the workplace and their responsibility to make efforts to have an anti-racism working environment. Much effort has been made to help reps understand how best to support our members in identifying racism, prejudices, micro aggression, and unconscious bias.
However, these achievements have also demonstrated that further development is needed to establish best practice in this area.
Conference believes training should be provided for branch officers and stewards to better equip them to be part of the solution. This will enable branch officers and stewards to help our members fight and win fairer workplaces.
We feel it is time for UNISON to progress in developing methods to better protect Black members in the working environment – instead of mainly focusing on supporting Black members after the painful experience of racism. This is a great opportunity to accelerate change and deliver an inclusive working environment.
Conference resolves that the National Executive Council working with UNISON College Learning and Organising Services help to:
1)Identify experienced trainers at a national and regional level who can deliver training to members focussed on better protecting Black members in the workplace and helping them fight for and win fairer workplaces by working proactively with employers.
2)Create specific training resources which will educate and promote branch officers and stewards to access this training in their branches.